Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing hydrogen from a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen or a component capable of dissociating into hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a heteropoly acid or salt thereof such as dodecamolybdophosphoric acid in a mutually miscible solvent.

Abstract: Method for effecting multiple treatment steps needed to regenerate spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. Catalyst is contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove coke which accumulates on the catalyst while it is in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. After the coke is burned off in a combustion zone, catalyst is passed into a halogenation zone wherein a halogen is deposited on the catalyst. Catalyst leaving the halogenation zone is passed into a drying zone for removal of water formed in the combustion zone which has remained on the catalyst instead of being carried off with combustion gases. Water removal is accomplished by passing a hot dry air stream through the catalyst in the drying zone.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a heteropoly acid or salt thereof such as dodecamolybdophosphoric acid in a mutually miscible solvent.

Abstract: An improved method for processing the effluent of a hydrocarbon conversion zone. The invention is particularly useful in a catalytic reforming reaction, wherein practice of the invention results in an increased recovery of butane and propane. The effluent is separated into vapor and liquid components, which are then recontacted at a higher pressure. Several recontacting steps may be employed. Liquid product is then subjected to fractionation. Overhead vapor from the fractionation zone is recycled back to a recontacting step in order to recover a portion of the hydrocarbons contained therein, instead of routing the vapor to the plant fuel gas system.

Abstract: Apparatus for uniformly distributing a fluid such as a vapor or gas upwardly through a cylindrical bed of a particulate contact material such as a catalyst, without interfering with the catalyst flow, includes an annular chamber which is closed at its top and which surrounds the cylindrical bed. The annular chamber receives fluid near its top and distributes it evenly at its bottom where it passes the fluid downwardly into a region which contains catalyst particles which have descended from the cylindrical bed, said region being defined at its top by the catalyst at the bottom of the aforesaid cylindrical bed and the open bottom end of the annular chamber, at its bottom by the bottom of a vessel containing the apparatus, and at its sides by the sides of the vessel. The distance between the bottom of the cylindrical bed and the bottom of the vessel is preferably at least equal to the radius of the cylindrical bed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing an electrochemical process involving hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. Specific applications are fuel cells for producing an electrical current and separation of hydrogen from a gaseous mixture. A novel proton-conducting membrane comprised of an interpenetrating polymer network serves as the solid electrolyte. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or utilized with a porous support.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel proton-conducting membrane comprised of an interpenetrating polymer network serves as the solid electrolyte. A reference gas or a solid reference substance is used. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or utilized with a porous support.

Abstract: Process for uniformly distributing a fluid such as a gas upwardly through a cylindrical bed of a particulate contact material, preferably a downwardly moving catalyst, without interfering with the downward flow of the material. The contact material of the cylindrical bed is confined within the outer wall of the open bottomed cylindrical chamber while additional contact material is confined under and radially outwardly of the cylindrical chamber. The fluid is introduced into an annular chamber surrounding the outer wall of the cylindrical chamber and caused to flow uniformly around its bottom end downwardly into the additional contact material and then upwardly and uniformly into the cylindrical bed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises a three-component blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer or copolymer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), with an inorganic compound, such as a phosphoric acid, and an organic compound selected from a group of polymers and copolymers having monomer units containing nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atoms, such as poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), in a mutually miscible solvent. A reference gas or a solid reference substance is used. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support.

Abstract: A vessel for effecting multiple treatment steps needed to regenerate spent hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. Regeneration is accomplished by means of a moving bed of catalyst, where catalyst is passed through several treatment zones in the regeneration vessel. Catalyst is contacted with a hot oxygen-containing gas stream in order to remove coke which accumulates on the catalyst while it is in a hydrocarbon conversion zone. After the coke is burned off in a combustion zone, catalyst is passed into a drying zone for removal of water formed in the combustion zone which has remained on the catalyst instead of being carried off with combustion gases. Water removal is accomplished by passing a hot dry air stream through the catalyst. This air stream is introduced into the bottom of the regeneration vessel and is heated by exchange of heat with catalyst, thereby effecting the required cooling of the catalyst. Before passing into the drying zone, the air is heated further by heating means located in the vessel.

Abstract: A unitary multiport rotary disc valve capable of accomplishing the simultaneous interconnection of a plurality of conduits in accordance with a previously determined cycle, where any conduit communicates with no more than one other conduit at any one cycle step, or valve index position, and where movement of the valve between index positions takes place with a minimum of hydraulic shock. The conduits to be interconnected are attached to the bottom of a discoid stationary body, or stator, having ports in it which communicate between the conduits and flow paths in a discoid rotating body, or rotor, which assumes various positions according to the cycle steps and distributes fluid flowing in the conduits in a different manner in each cycle step.

Abstract: A unitary multiport rotary disc valve capable of accomplishing the simultaneous interconnection of a plurality of conduits in accordance with a previously determined cycle, where any conduit communicates with no more than one other conduit at any one cycle step, or valve index position. The conduits to be interconnected are attached to the bottom of a discoid stationery body, or stator, having channels in it which communicate between the conduits and flow paths in a discoid rotating body, or rotor, which assumes various positions according to the cycle steps and distributes fluid flowing in the conduits in a different manner in each cycle step.

Abstract: A unitary disc-axial multiport valve capable of accomplishing the simultaneous interconnection of a plurality of conduits in accordance with a previously determined cycle, where any conduit communicates with no more than one other conduit at any one cycle step, or valve index position. The conduits to be interconnected are attached to a hollow stationary body, or stator assembly, which is comprised of two sections, or elements, one being cylindrical in exterior form and the other having a disc-like form with a central opening and being joined to the cylindrical element at one end in a flange-like manner. There are fluid flow paths in a rotating body, or rotor assembly, which is located partially inside the stator assembly, extending through the central opening in the discular element of the stator. The form of the rotor assembly is similar to that of the stator assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for qualitative and quantitative analysis utilizing the Raman effect. Analyses are obtainable without exercise of human judgment or human interpretation. Analyses may be obtained on-line in the field or in a laboratory. A wide range of fluids and solids are capable of rapid routine analysis without major adjustment of equipment. An analysis is obtained by comparing a Raman spectrum of the unknown sample to Raman spectra of samples whose analysis is known. The known Raman spectra are stored in computing means in digital form and the comparison is accomplished by the computing means.

Abstract: A unitary multiport rotary disc valve capable of accomplishing the simultaneous interconnection of a plurality of conduits in accordance with a previously determined cycle, where any conduit communicates with no more than one other conduit at any one cycle step, or valve index position. The conduits to be interconnected are attached to a stationary body, or stator assembly, having channels in it which communicate between the conduits and flow paths in a rotating body, or rotor assembly, which assumes various positions according to the cycle steps and distributes fluid flowing in the conduits in a different manner in each cycle step. In one embodiment, the rotor assembly is comprised of two parallel plates, or discs, and is sandwiched between two biplanar parallel plates which comprise the stator assembly. Crossover pipes extend between the rotor plates.

Abstract: A unitary multiport rotary disc valve capable of accomplishing the simultaneous interconnection of a plurality of conduits in accordance with a previously determined cycle, where any conduit communicates with no more than one other conduit at any one valve index position. It is particularly useful where such plurality of conduits may be divided into three separate groups according to their function and it is necessary to interconnect the conduits in accordance with a relationship among the groups. The conduits to be interconnected are attached to the bottom of a discoid stationary body, or stator, having channels in it which communicate between the conduits and flow paths in a discoid rotating body, or rotor, which assumes various positions according to the cycle steps and distributes fluid flowing in the conduits in a different manner in each cycle step.

Abstract: Method of operation for a continuous countercurrent extraction zone, to which a charge mixture stream and a solvent stream are continuously supplied and from which an extract stream and a raffinate stream are continuously withdrawn. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing a recycle stream consisting of a portion of the light phase stream withdrawn from the column, combining the recycle stream with the charge mixture stream, and controlling the streams flowing to and from the column. The combined feed stream to the extraction zone is controlled at a constant flow rate and recycle flow has preference over charge mixture flow, thereby causing charge stream flow to vary inversely with recycle flow. An important feature of the invention resides in adjustment of composition of this total combined feed stream to the extraction zone in order to deal with fluctuations in other parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining water content of gases and vapors. The primary sensing device is a fluidic oscillator through which a sample of gas is passed. It is primarily useful in systems where the moisture content is large and there is a small difference between the molecular weight of water and the average molecular weight of the other components of the gas (or vapor) or systems where there is a large difference between the molecular weight of water and the average molecular weight of the other components.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing electricity from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and/or compounds capable of dissociating into hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell and a catalyst. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a heteropoly acid or salt thereof such as dodecamolybdophosphoric acid or uranyl orthophosphate in a mutually miscible solvent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a substantially continuous gas flow through particulate solids in two zones. The solids are moved from a low pressure zone to a high pressure zone by means of a valveless lock hopper system. Maintenance of gas flow while simultaneously transferring particles between zones is accomplished without the use of moving equipment such as valves. The invention is particularly applicable in the regeneration of catalyst used in hydrocarbon conversion processes such as catalytic reforming.